JHC HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 646 SALISBURY STREET
WORCESTER, MA 01609 - Ownership Type
- Non-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- March 8, 2006
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 4 |
| Physicians | 1 |
48
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what JHC HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Supplied directly by this hospice
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how JHC HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
13.9 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 67th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
78
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day13.9 min
Ranks better than about 67% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends9.8%
Ranks better than about 68% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life97.4%
Ranks better than about 82% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits16.7%
Ranks better than about 91% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care4.8%
Ranks better than about 61% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months41.9%
Ranks better than about 35% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care1.9%
Ranks better than about 78% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice1%
Ranks better than about 50% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)79th percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$13,949 · 28th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 75% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening100%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.2%
- Treatment preferences discussed99.7%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.7%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life75%
- All care steps completed98.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer16%
- Dementia18%
- Heart and circulatory disease15%
- Lung and respiratory disease8%
- Stroke30%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
JHC Hospice in Worcester
JHC Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care for families living in Worcester, Massachusetts. Located on Salisbury Street, they offer medical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients dealing with life-limiting illnesses. Their team focuses on comfort and quality of life during a very difficult time. Choosing the right hospice is a major decision for any family. That is why having a local, trusted provider like JHC Hospice nearby makes such a big difference. They help manage pain and symptoms while keeping the patient at home whenever possible. It is all about dignity and peace. Whether you are just starting to look for care or need help right away, they are a steady hand in a storm. Their mission is to honor the wishes of the people they serve. You deserve to have clear, honest support throughout this journey.
About JHC Hospice
JHC Hospice is a non-profit organization. This is a key detail for many families. Being non-profit means they put their resources back into patient care rather than profits. They have been Medicare certified since March 8, 2006. That is nearly two decades of experience serving the local community. They have built a strong reputation in the Worcester area over these many years. What should you expect? You get a team that is dedicated to the whole person. They look at the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of your loved one. The thing is, hospice is not just about the end of life. It is about living the remaining time with as much comfort and joy as possible. They work closely with families to make sure every day counts. You are never in this alone when you have a team that truly cares about your family's needs.
Top-Rated Care
Understanding Hospice Care in Worcester
Finding the right care in Worcester can feel like a heavy task. But you are lucky to have high-quality options right in your own backyard. Most hospice care happens in the patient's own home. This keeps them in a familiar space with the people they love most. And that is exactly where they want to be. The local hospice teams here work with your primary doctor to build a plan that fits your specific situation. They provide nurses, aides, and social workers who visit you regularly. Some people think hospice means giving up. That is a myth. The truth is that hospice is about choosing comfort over hospital visits. It is about taking back control of your time. By using local resources, you get faster responses and a team that knows the community well. You can focus on being a family instead of a caregiver.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You have the right to ask hard questions. Do not be afraid to speak up. First, ask how quickly they can get a nurse to your home in an emergency. You need to know that help is there when you need it most. Second, ask what their plan is for managing pain and other difficult symptoms. Every patient is different, so their plan should be too. Third, ask how they support the family after a loss. Grief support is a huge part of the hospice mission. And finally, ask what their transition process looks like if your needs change suddenly. The goal is to feel confident in the team you choose. Write these questions down before your meeting. It helps to have them on paper so you do not forget anything important. You are the expert on your loved one, and your voice matters here.
Preserve Your Family's Story
Your loved one has a lifetime of stories and wisdom to share. Capturing these memories now creates a lasting gift for your family to cherish for generations to come.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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